12001 N MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73162
Getting Ahead of Problems Before They Start
Dogs live full, active lives, and keeping them that way takes more than a visit only when something seems wrong. At Warwick Animal Hospital, preventative care is how we help dogs throughout Oklahoma City stay ahead of health problems rather than reacting to them after the fact. A consistent wellness routine gives our veterinarians the chance to spot small changes early, when they are simplest to address, and gives you peace of mind that your dog's health is being looked after year-round. Schedule a wellness visit for your dog today.
Annual Wellness Exams
An annual exam is where preventative care starts. Our veterinarians examine your dog from nose to tail, checking everything from heart and lung sounds to joint mobility and skin condition, and use the visit as a chance to talk through anything you have noticed at home, whether it is a new habit, a change in appetite, or a question about training or behavior.
What to Expect at a Wellness Visit
Every wellness visit involves a full, hands-on evaluation of your dog's health. During a typical appointment, our veterinarians will check:
- Weight and body condition score
- Temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate
- Teeth, gums and overall oral health
- Eyes, ears, skin and coat condition
- Abdominal palpation to check internal organs
- Joint health and range of motion
- Vaccination status and any vaccines due
- Parasite and heartworm prevention needs
- Diet, exercise and any behavior questions you would like to raise
Bloodwork or urinalysis may also be recommended, particularly for senior dogs or those with an existing health condition.
Vaccinations for Your Canine Companions
Vaccines guard against diseases that are often serious and, in some cases, fatal, but almost entirely preventable with the right protection in place.
Every dog should be current on core vaccines, which include:
- Rabies, required by law in most areas
- DHPP, which protects against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus
Beyond the core vaccines, we tailor additional protection to your dog's lifestyle, which may include:
- Bordetella, recommended for dogs who board, attend daycare or visit the groomer
- Leptospirosis, worth discussing for dogs exposed to standing water, farmland or wildlife
- Canine influenza, useful for dogs who regularly interact with other dogs in group settings
We will talk through your dog's day-to-day routine to decide which non-core vaccines actually make sense, rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all vaccine schedule.
Parasite Prevention
Fleas, ticks and intestinal parasites are a year-round concern in Oklahoma, not just a warm-weather issue. A flea infestation can spread through a household quickly, and intestinal parasites often cause no visible symptoms until they have already affected your dog's condition. We recommend consistent, year-round parasite prevention along with routine fecal testing to catch anything a visual check might miss.
Heartworm Prevention
Heartworm disease is transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause serious, sometimes irreversible damage to the heart and lungs if left untreated. Because there is no simple cure once a dog is infected, and treatment for an active case is lengthy and hard on the body, prevention is by far the better path. We recommend annual heartworm testing along with a monthly preventive, available in both oral and topical forms, to keep your dog protected throughout the year.
Weight Management
Carrying extra weight puts added strain on a dog's joints, heart and organs, and it is one of the most common and most preventable health concerns we see, particularly in breeds already prone to joint issues. During wellness visits, we track your dog's body condition over time, which allows us to catch gradual weight gain early and adjust diet, treats or activity levels before it becomes a bigger issue.
Microchipping
A microchip gives your dog a permanent form of identification that stays in place even if a collar or tag is lost, which matters most in the moment you need it, when a gate is left open or a leash slips. The procedure takes only a moment and causes minimal discomfort, and it is often done during a wellness visit or paired with another scheduled procedure. Once your dog is chipped, keep your registry contact information current so it can actually do its job if needed.
How Preventative Care Changes by Life Stage
What counts as preventative care shifts as your dog moves through different stages of life.
- Puppies need a series of vaccines spaced a few weeks apart while their immune system is still developing, along with early parasite prevention and a conversation about the right timing for spay or neuter surgery.
- Adult dogs generally settle into a yearly wellness rhythm, with preventative care becoming more about maintaining consistency than reacting to rapid changes.
- Senior dogs often benefit from more frequent exams and expanded bloodwork, since conditions like arthritis, kidney disease and heart changes become more common with age and are far easier to manage when caught early rather than after symptoms set in.
A Healthier Future Starts with a Wellness Visit
Preventative care is one of the most effective investments you can make in your dog's long-term health. From vaccines to weight tracking, our team is here to build a plan suited to your dog's age, breed and lifestyle. Schedule a wellness visit at Warwick Animal Hospital today.